Urban Planning Degree in Cambridge, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Cambridge, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$67K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$96K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Cambridge
Cost of Living
133
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Cambridge, MA Overview
Cambridge, Massachusetts (pop. 118,403) has 6 colleges offering Urban Planning programs. The local cost of living index of 133 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,322/month. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Cambridge is approximately $66,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$13,207/yr
Private Tuition
$57,624/yr
Room & Board
$17,447/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,677/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
75%
Urban Planning Salary in Cambridge (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Cambridge's cost of living index of 133 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Cambridge adjustment factor: 1.33x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Cambridge
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Cambridge tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,207 | Private avg: $57,624
Cambridge avg aid: $14,677/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,616
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,950
vs HS diploma in Cambridge
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Cambridge
$435,984
Lifetime earnings premium ($558,600) minus total education cost ($122,616)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Cambridge
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Cambridge for Urban Planning
Harvard University
private
$57,261/yr
$229,044 total
MIT
private
$57,986/yr
$231,944 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bunker Hill Community College
$5,760/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Cambridge
Cambridge offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Cambridge Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Cambridge
International Relations
$67K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$64K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$67K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$67K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$67K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$59K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$67K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$59K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Cambridge — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Urban Planning ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Cambridge.